Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks to US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to ease Trump tensions
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has initiated discussions with key US envoys following public criticism from Donald Trump over Russian sanctions and energy infrastructure strikes.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has held talks with senior US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in an effort to ease deepening diplomatic friction with Washington and outline steps towards a potential peace meeting.
Speaking after the discussion on Sunday, Zelenskyy said Ukraine was preparing its next diplomatic steps alongside the US administration, while reiterating that any lasting resolution must rely on strength and mutual trust. He confirmed the talks covered urgent military supplies, including Patriot air defence systems, as Ukraine struggles against sustained Russian strikes.
The outreach follows sharp public criticism from US President Donald Trump, who accused Kyiv on his Truth Social platform of prolonging the conflict and disrupting global fuel markets through long-range strikes on Russian oil facilities. Trump claimed Zelenskyy did not want the war to end and warned that Ukrainian strikes on diesel refineries were harming American farmers and businesses.
Flashpoints in US-Ukraine relations
| Issue | Washington position | Kyiv position |
|---|---|---|
| Russian sanctions | Waived key measures under Lindsey Graham Act | Argues waiver weakens pressure on Moscow |
| Energy infrastructure strikes | Demands Kyiv halt attacks on Russian refineries | Views strikes as fair retribution for power grid damage |
| Russian fuel imports | Agreed deal for 1.8m tonnes of Russian diesel | States deal provides direct funding for Russia's war |
US-Ukraine ties have been further strained by Washington's decision to waive key Russia-related sanctions under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act. Defending the decision, Trump said he did not want to drive Moscow away from the bargaining table during ongoing peace efforts. The White House also backed an agreement securing 1.8 million tonnes of Russian diesel for global markets, a deal Zelenskyy warned would pump cash back into Moscow's war effort.
On the ground, the diplomatic strain coincides with a sharp escalation in strikes. Russian officials said air defences shot down 144 Ukrainian drones over the Leningrad region in one of the largest attacks on Saint Petersburg since the war began, setting an oil terminal ablaze. Zelenskyy accused Russian forces of violating an energy ceasefire 76 times, leaving tens of thousands of Ukrainians without electricity and heat as winter approaches.
Despite the friction, Zelenskyy acknowledged that Washington had resumed intelligence sharing after a brief pause that had left Ukrainian air defences vulnerable. Further diplomatic engagements between Ukrainian officials and US envoys are expected in the coming days.
Key numbers
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Ukrainian drones shot down over Leningrad region | 144 | Head of Leningrad region Alexander Drozdenko |
| Russian energy ceasefire violations cited by Ukraine | 76 | Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy |
| Total Russian diesel supply agreed under US deal | 1.8 million tonnes | Statement by US President Donald Trump |
In this story
| Name | Role in the story |
|---|---|
| Volodymyr Zelenskyy | President of Ukraine who spoke with US envoys to ease diplomatic tensions. |
| Steve Witkoff | US envoy involved in talks with Zelenskyy. |
| Jared Kushner | US envoy involved in talks with Zelenskyy. |
| Donald Trump | US President who criticised Zelenskyy and waived sanctions on Russia. |
